Immunomodulatory Activities of Yunzhi and Danshen in Post-treatment Breast Cancer Patients

Authors: Chun-Kwok Wong, Yi-Xi Bao, Eliza Lai-Yi Wong, Ping-Chung Leung, Kwok Pui Fung, and Christopher Wai Kei Lam

Journal: The American Journal of Chinese Medicine

Study Design: Self-controlled clinical trial

Participants: 82 female patients with stage I-III breast cancer who had completed anticancer treatment within the last 3 years

Trial Length: 6 months

Intervention: Daily oral consumption of Yunzhi (PSP derived from Coriolus versicolor) and Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) capsules containing 50 mg/kg body weight of Yunzhi (100% PSP) and 20 mg/kg body weight of Danshen

Primary Outcomes: Immunological functions, including percentages and absolute counts of lymphocyte subsets (CD4+, CD8+, NK, and B cells) and plasma soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R) concentrationSummary: The study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of Yunzhi-Danshen capsules in post-treatment breast cancer patients. The results showed significant increases in the absolute counts of T-helper lymphocytes (CD4+), the ratio of T-helper/T-suppressor and cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD4+/CD8+), and the percentage and absolute counts of B-lymphocytes after taking the capsules. Additionally, plasma sIL-2R concentration decreased significantly. The study concludes that regular oral consumption of Yunzhi-Danshen capsules can enhance cellular immunity in post-treatment breast cancer patients, potentially improving their quality of life.